Welcome! When you decide to become a teacher, you are taking on the tremendous responsibility and honor of teaching young people of all ages, nationalities and levels of ability how to understand and interact with our rapidly-changing modern world.
Overview
The Holmes Center works with program faculty and clinical educators to prepare students for the Internship in Student Teaching. The Road to Certification outlines the required steps for meeting Certification Requirements. Graduate and Undergraduate students should review the 4 Decision Points. Decision Point 1 begins in your first year here at PSU. Below are the requirements for all students. Programs may have additional requirements.
Decision Point 1
Candidacy Application
This application activates your teacher candidacy file with the Holmes Center. Please complete once in your first or second year. Graduate Students should complete this immediately upon acceptance into the program.
NH Basic Skills Test Requirement
Basic Skills Requirement: Passing Praxis Core scores in Reading, Writing and Math or the test evaluation request are required at least 1 year before the internship begins.
Praxis Core tests are an assessment of basic skills and are designed to measure proficiency in the areas of reading, writing, and math. The Praxis Core tests should be taken during your first year at PSU and must be passed by meeting the current scores required by the State of New Hampshire. Students must retake and pass any portion of the Praxis Core where the minimum score has not been achieved.
Performance at or above a predetermined score (set by the NHDOE) on a nationally recognized test in the areas of reading, writing, and/or mathematics such as, but not limited to, the SAT, GRE, or ACT. Submit the Test Evaluation Request directly to the NHDOE, as outlined below.
Directions for submitting the Test Evaluation Request are posted on the Praxis Core Requirement page.
2 Faculty Evaluations
Faculty Evaluations must be submitted from two PSU faculty members with whom you have taken classes. Not required for Graduate Students.
GPA Requirement
A GPA of 2.5 or 3.0(program dependent) is required for all majors to be accepted into Teacher Certification Candidacy. Graduate Programs require a 3.0 or higher. Please view the academic catalog for program specific GPA requirements. This is the last requirement checked before Decision Point 1 is completed.
Orientation 1: Declaring Teacher Candidacy
Class meeting with Holmes Center Faculty and Staff. Introduction to the Road to Teacher Certification program in Taskstream.
Code of Conduct/Code of Ethics
The New Hampshire State Board of Education on Nov. 8, 2018, approved the Educator Code of Conduct, following the approval of an educator Code of Ethics in June 2018. This combined set of rules and procedures is not in response to any one circumstance or incident, but are designed to build on the high standards of the state’s educators, elevate the education profession, and provide guidance to educators.
Background Check
Criminal Background Checks are required by New Hampshire State Law. Students who declare candidacy in an educator preparation program must complete the first mandatory background check. Upon completion of the teacher candidacy application, students should follow these directions and visit the Holmes Center. Availability: Wednesday and Thursdays: 9-11 am and 2-3 pm
Decision Point 2
Internship in Teaching Application
The Internship in Teaching application must be submitted one year prior to the internship. Spring interns should submit the application by February 1st. Fall Interns should submit the application by October 1st. A link to the online application will be posted on this website.
Praxis II
Certain Graduate programs require passing Praxis II prior to the internship. This includes Elementary Education, English Education and Mathematics Education. Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information.
GPA Requirement
Required Cumulative G.P.A. of 2.7 or higher. Elementary Education requires a 3.0 or higher. All Graduate Programs require a 3.0 or higher.
Educator Disposition Assessment
The Educator Disposition Assessment is completed by PSU faculty and/or mentor teachers for each teacher candidate.
Decision Point 3
Co-teaching Overview
Pilot program for 2018-19. The Co-teaching Foundational Workshop provides the basic information needed for Teacher Candidates to begin utilizing co-teaching. This information is embedded into program courses, offered as a workshop with the Holmes Center or completed by watching an online training.
Lesson Plan and Resume
Prepare a sample lesson plan and resume to share with potential mentor teachers and principals. Please visit the Career Development Office for resume samples.
Mentor Teacher Matching
There is a mentor teaching match night in Merrill Place the semester prior to the internship. You will have the opportunity to meet with potential mentor teachers and principals to discuss the internship. Professional Dress is required.
Confirmation Sheet
The Signed Internship in Teaching Confirmation Sheet must be submitted by May 15th for Fall Interns and December 1st for Spring interns.
GPA Requirement
Required Cumulative G.P.A. of 2.7 or 3.0 (Program Dependent) must be met prior to the start of the internship.
Orientation 2: Preparing for the Internship
Educator Disposition Assessment
The Educator Disposition Assessment is completed by PSU faculty and/or mentor teachers for each teacher candidate.
Registering for the Internship
Decision Points 1, 2 and 3 must be completed prior to registering for the Internship. The Holmes Center will submit a registration override.
Decision Point 4
Orientation 3: Preparing for Employment
This 3 hour session is an opportunity to meet with principals and superintendents to discuss the hiring process. Educational Leaders will share best practices for excelling during the interview. This orientation takes place at the mid-point of your internship. For Fall interns, this is October. For Spring Interns, this is March. Professional Dress is required.
Orientation 4: Internship Wrap Up
At the end of the internship, Holmes Center Faculty and Staff will review the Certification process and discuss next steps after graduation.
Midterm/Site 1 Evaluation
The Mentor Teacher and Co-evaluator/University Supervisor will each complete this evaluation after the first seven weeks of the internship. The Handbook details the expectations.
Final/Site 2 Evaluation
The Mentor Teacher and Co-evaluator/University Supervisor will each complete this evaluation at the conclusion of the internship. The Handbook details the expectations.
Educator Disposition Assessment
The Educator Disposition Assessment is completed by PSU faculty and/or mentor teachers for each teacher candidate.
N.H. D.O.E. Account
Please set up your New Hampshire Department of Education Account